N25BA

On May 24, 2002, at 1203 mountain daylight time, a Helio H-391B, N25BA, was substantially damaged when the airplane ground looped during takeoff at Cheyenne Airport, Cheyenne, Wyoming. The private pilot was not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, a VFR flight plan had been filed but had not activated, and a special VFR departure clearance had been obtained. The personal flight was being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was en route to Logan, Utah.

According to the pilot's accident report, there was "a slight crosswind from the left at 10 knots" as he rolled out onto the right side of runway 26 (9,200 feet x 150 feet, concrete, grooved). As the tail wheel lifted off and the front gear started getting "light," a gust of wind started turning the airplane into the wind. Just prior to liftoff, the right gear collapsed and the airplane veered off the runway between taxiways B4 and B5.

The following recorded weather conditions existed at the time of the accident: wind, 190 degrees at 13 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; ceiling, 800 feet broken, 13,000 feet overcast; temperature 3 degrees C. (37.4 degrees F.); dew point, 0 degrees C. (32 degrees F.); altimeter setting, 30.10.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed right wing damage from the root to the tip. The fixed right landing gear had collapsed, buckling the right forward fuselage and firewall.